The City of Chehalis seeks community input at second open house event

Contribute to the Future of Historic Downtown Chehalis

CHEHALIS, WA – The Imagine Downtown Chehalis Project, led by the City of Chehalis with support from Experience Chehalis, is hosting two open house events on Tuesday, August 13, in downtown Chehalis. The first event will be a design workshop with the public at Chehalis Coworks from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and will be followed by an evening open house at Stout Coffee House from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. During these events, citizens and business owners will have the opportunity to propose and comment on preliminary design ideas for the renovation of downtown Chehalis, based on feedback gathered in earlier outreach efforts.

In February, the city launched a multi-year project to revitalize the public infrastructure in downtown Chehalis. This initiative will first establish a master plan that will guide future improvements along Market Boulevard, Washington and Pacific Avenues, and Boistfort Street in the historic downtown area. The master plan may include upgraded sidewalks, optimized traffic flow, improved roadways, and enhanced lighting. The goal is to create a safer, more welcoming streetscape that fosters community and supports economic prosperity.

Throughout the design process, the public is invited to engage and share their perspectives. Valuable input provided by citizen and business owners throughout the year will shape the final decisions for the master plan, ensuring that downtown Chehalis meets the needs of its residents while becoming a safer, more accessible, and cohesive hub for businesses, locals, and visitors. The open houses on August 13 are crucial opportunities to align citizen priorities with any proposed improvements. The community is invited to learn about preliminary design options and contribute to the vision for a revitalized downtown.City and project staff will be available to answer questions and share information about project goals, funding, and timeline. There will be additional opportunities throughout the year for the community to express their priorities and opinions as the design progresses.